WASHINGTON--Chairman Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., of the Joint Economic Committee lauded the Bureau of Economic Analysis's announcement of 3.5 percent GDP growth as a sign of a revitalized and prosperous America:

"The announcement of 3.5 percent GDP growth strengthens Americans' confidence under pro-growth policies with faster wage growth and less unemployment," said Paulsen. "Rising business investment shows that the economy will continue to be healthy and strong. Americans have more opportunity and more money in their pockets today than they did two years ago, and that's in large part due to the reforms we've pushed forward."

Note: Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2018, according to the advance estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the second quarter, real GDP increased 4.2 percent.